AIRS | EHM | City Steps: COVID-19 Response

February 23, 2021

Today Governor Hogan issued another Executive Order regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland. In this Order, Maryland now requires the use of face coverings for everyone over the age of fiver (5) in any school setting.

If you are an AIRS |EHM | City Steps client with a minor child in school and you need assistance securing personal protective equipment (PPE), please contact our Emergency Response Case Manager Alison Williams-Leak for assistance. She can be reached via email at alison@airshome.org or at 410.576.5070 ext.105

January 29, 2021

Yesterday Governor Hogan issued another Executive Order regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland. With this Order, citizens are urged to continue to follow guidance from the CDC and the Maryland Department of Health. Additionally, the Order requires the use of masks and face coverings in most public spaces. AIRS | EHM | City steps staff shall wear face coverings while on duty.

The Order also expands the types of businesses that are allowed to re-open in the State and their operational capacity. Despite this expansion, our main administrative office at 1800 N. Charles Street in Baltimore, MD will remain closed to the public. Staff who are working from home will continue to do so and our residential buildings with restricted access will continue be closed to visitors.

December 7, 2020

Please join us in welcoming our new Emergency Response Case Manager Alison Williams-Leak to AIRS | EHM | City Steps. Alison will monitor the agency's overall response to the coronavirus pandemic and by providing direct support to clients and assisting staff with all matters related to COVID-19.

If you need assistance for your household, Alison can be reached via email at alison@airshome.org or at 410.576.5070 ext.105.

November 18, 2020

On November, 17th Governor Hogan issued Executive Order #20-11-17-01 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland. The Order requires the use of masks and face coverings in most public spaces expanding the requirements of previous orders. Therefore, all AIRS | EHM | City steps staff are required to wear face coverings while on duty.

The Order also expands the types of businesses that are allowed to re-open in the State and their operational capacity. Despite this expansion, our main office will remain closed to the public. Staff who are working from home will continue to do so and our residential buildings with restricted access will continue be closed to visitors.

We will continue to monitor the data and science regarding COVID-19 and will remain vigilant protecting staff and our vulnerable clients.

August 3, 2020 COVID -19 Update

Today Governor Hogan issued another Executive Order to help reduce the spread of the pandemic in Maryland. In this most recent Order the use of masks and face coverings are expanded in the State requiring their usage in public spaces when social distancing cannot be achieved.

The Order also expands the types of businesses that are allowed to re-open in the State. However, our main office will remain closed to the public, staff who are working from home will continue to do so, and residential buildings with restricted access will continue be closed to visitors. We will continue to monitor the data and science regarding COVID-19 and will remain vigilant protecting staff and our vulnerable clients.

July 22, 2020 COVID -19 Update

As our region and the nation struggles with managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AIRS | EHM | City Steps offices remain closed to the public. Our team continues to provide supportive housing services to our clients remotely and using social distancing, mandatory temperature scans and wearing PPE when in-person work is necessary to perform our duties.

We urge our clients to remain at home to reduce their exposure to the virus. Our residential programs that have restricted access to the public will maintain the current. Despite the significant inconvenience we feel that this course of action is necessary for the health and wellness of our clients and staff.

June 3, 2020 COVID-19 Update

This afternoon Governor Hogan continued his easing of COVID restrictions by announcing the beginning of “Phase 2” and further scaled back his previous Executive Orders regarding the State of Emergency. As of Friday June 5th (this Friday) most non-essential businesses will be allowed to re-open.

As stated before, this "re-opening" of Maryland will not affect the current operations at AIRS | EHM | City Steps. Our main office will remain closed to the public, staff who are working from home will continue to do so, and residential buildings with restricted access will continue to be closed to visitors.

This pandemic is not over.

Hundreds of new cases are routinely reported daily in our state and social distancing practices are not only still recommended, but remain the best way to protect our staff, clients and volunteers.

If you have any questions regarding our position or the status of our operations please let me know.

May 13, 2020 COVID-19 Update

Governor Hogan announced that Maryland will enter Phase 1 of the re-opening of our state and that the the previous "stay at home" order is being scaled back to a "safer at home" order easing the restrictions on businesses and gatherings.

This "re-opening" of Maryland will not affect the current operations at AIRS | EHM | City Steps.

Our main office will remain closed to the public, staff who are working from home will continue to do so, and residential buildings with restricted access will continue be closed to visitors. We will continue to monitor the data and science regarding COVID-19 and will remain vigilant protecting staff and our vulnerable clients.

AIRS | EHM | City Steps COVID-19 Statement

AIRS | EHM | City Steps is committed to following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as it relates to health protection. Given the growing concerns in regard to coronavirus (COVID-19), the increased community transmission in Maryland, and the State of Emergency issued by Governor Hogan, we ask that all residents, visitors, staff and volunteers follow the CDC recommendations below:

Stay home when you are sick.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
Cough into elbow if you don't have a tissue.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Adopt alternative greetings that do not require touch such as waving while smiling rather than shaking hands (social distancing).
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Use a hand sanitizer, if available.
Have an adequate supply of prescription, medications and nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand such as pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins. Have a thermometer, tissues, soap, and hand sanitizer.
Have extra non-perishable food items at home.

In an effort to streamline some of the information available regarding COVID-19 and the response to the pandemic we are providing the resource list* below. We’ve also included select downloadable documents as well.

Please bookmark this page, share it with your networks.

General COVID-19 Information & Resources

The following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resources provide additional information:

State of Maryland COVID-19 Case Map Dashboard
Maryland Access Point: Health Services for Seniors
COVID-19 Situation Summary
Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance
COVID-19 Guidance for Mass Gatherings
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Employees and Businesses
Maryland Department of Transportation Coronavirus
Steps for Prevention and Treatment
What to Do If You Are Sick
Pregnant Women and COVID-19 FAQs
Stigma Related to COVID-19
Facts vs Rumors
Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
DOL Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
COVID-19 And Your Pregnancy - What You Need to Know
Maryland COVID-19 Information for Businesses
COVID-19: Essential Services for Encampments During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
COVID-19: Shelter Management During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): COVID-19 Resources
Maryland Citizens for the Arts’ COVID-19 Emergency Services and Resources
FindHelp.org – Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs that help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, searchable by zip code.
Resources for Drug Use and COVID-19 Risk Reduction
CDC Stress and Anxiety Page
COVID-19 Food Handling Guidance for Restaurants, Non-profits, and Food Pantries

Resources For Baltimore City Residents

Baltimore City created a dedicated website for COVID-19 information. It contains general information about the national and local response to the virus and a list of resource for Baltimore citizens.

The Baltimore City Council produced its own COVID-19 resource site for citizens. Use the links below to quickly navigate their site.

Help and Support